By Scott Huff
The scholastic version of ‘March Madness’ begins on Saturday when four Suburban One League teams venture into the state playoffs.
The 32-team field is set – no more playbacks – no more second chances.
One and done.
Plymouth Whitemarsh, Souderton and Neshaminy all enter states coming off a loss. Only Pennsbury will come into the playoffs coming off a victory.
“It is a very long week, especially after coming off a loss,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Jim Donofrio in reference to his Colonials 54-49 overtime loss to Penn Wood in the PIAA District One Quad-A championship game. “The season is so long, and now we have to keep the kids mentally right.”
In order to have his Colonials focus better – the coach had a surprise for his team at Wednesday’s practice.
“We had Neumann-Goretti scrimmage us at PW,” said Donofrio of the nationally ranked team from Philadelphia. “It was great to watch both teams run up and down that floor.
“I didn’t let anyone know they were coming,” added Donofrio. “We didn’t want practice to turn into a circus. It was just the players and the coaches.
“And when it was all over, I would say that both teams played pretty evenly,” continued Donofrio. “Both teams were excited about playing against each other.”
Neumann-Goretti (25-1) won the PIAA Class AAA District 12 crown last week.
Suburban One League
First Round State Games
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs. Red Land
@ Wissahickon High School
Saturday – 3:30 pm
Records:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (24-2) D-1
Red Land Patriots (25-4) – District 3
Winner gets the winner of …
Whitehall (18-9) – District 11
Frankford (21-4) – District 12
Last Game –
Plymouth Whitemarsh lost to Penn Wood in overtime – 54-49 – in the PIAA District One Quad-A championship game. Whis Grant led the Colonials with 23 points, while C.J. Aiken added 10 points.
Red Land enters the playoff on a winning note as the Patriots defeated Warwick – 67-50. Steve Zack led Red Land with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
Key Players –
Plymouth Whitemarsh features 6-foot, 10-inch C.J. Aiken along with 6-7 Jaylen Bond. Whis Grant, Brandon Dixon, and Sam Pygatt are a talented backcourt.
Steve Zack has led Red Land in scoring all season. Other starters include Nick Diller, Duke Antonelli, Mike Zangeri, and Max Flournoy.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Head Coach Jim Donofrio says - “Red Land looks to be a very physical team,” said Donofrio. “They have some big bodies, and they run their share of halfcourt offensive sets. They will play you some 2-3 zone, or some man.
“Once you get to states, no matter who you play, you have to do the little stuff, you have to execute,” added Donofrio. “I think we realized after looking at the Penn Wood film what we have to do to improve.”
Souderton vs., Roman Catholic
@ Norristown Area High School
Saturday – 2 pm
Records:
Souderton Indians (23-4) – District 1
Roman Catholic Cahillites (16-8) – District 12
Winner gets the winner of …
Reading (27-2) – District 3
Hazelton (20-5) – District 2
Last Game:
Souderton lost its second playoff game in a row when the Indians dropped a 49-46 contest to West Chester Rustin. The Big Red – which missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have forced overtime – was led in scoring by A.J. Picard with 17 points. Nate Lewis also scored in double figures for the Indians with 11 points.
Roman Catholic enters the game after a 53-50 victory over Archbishop Ryan. RC was led by Kevin Ragan who scored a game-high 18 points.
Key Players:
Souderton has featured the play of senior guard A.J. Picard. Seniors Kyle Connolly, Nate Lewis, Nathan Moyer, and Jeffrey Bishop have all contributed to the 20+ winning season.
Roman Catholic features the talents of Rakeem Brookins and Kevin Ragan. Daiquan Walker is also a double figure scorer for Roman.
Souderton Head Coach Perry Engard says - “Roman has two Division One players, has good size, and can shoot the basketball,” said Engard. “They are also very deep off the bench, and are very athletic.
“I was happy with the effort that we got the last two games, even though we lost both,” added Engard. “We are going to have to play hard for four quarters if we expect to win the game.”
Neshaminy vs. John Bartram
@ South Philadelphia High School
Saturday – 2 pm
Records:
Neshaminy Redskins – (19-9) – District 1
Bartram Braves – (19-8) – District 12
Winner gets the winner of …
Penn Wood – (23-3) – District 1
Penn Manor – (17-10) – District 3
Last Game:
Neshaminy lost for the third time this season to SOL National Conference rival Pennsbury – 47-40. Ryan Arcidiacono led the Skins with 15 points, while Mike McGarry added 10 points.
John Bartram edged La Salle 42-40 in its last outing. The Braves were led in scoring by Quasim Jones with 12 points, while Darrell Robinson added nine points.
Key Players:
Neshaminy: Sophomore Ryan Arcidiacono has led the Skins in scoring for most of their games this season. Mike McGarry and Dwight Williams have been strong off the boards. While Tyler Katz and Steve Warhola have been clutch in the backcourt.
John Bartram has showcased the talents of Tyrone Garland this season. Quasim Jones and Darrell Robinson have also contributed this season for the Braves.
Neshaminy Head Coach Jerry Devine says – “(Tyrone) Garland is the real deal, he is a great scorer,” said Devine. “Bartram is very athletic, and they like to go up and down the floor, and that suits our style.
“We feel that we match up pretty well with them,” added Devine. “We feel real good about ourselves.”
Pennsbury vs. Wilson
@ Hershey Park Arena
Saturday – 4 pm
Records:
Pennsbury Falcons – (17-10) – District 1
Wilson Bulldogs – (24-4) – District 3
Winner plays winner of …
Scranton – (20-6) – District 2
Warwick – (17-10) – District 3
Last Game:
Pennsbury captured its third successive win over Suburban One League National Conference rival Neshaminy – 47-40. The Falcons were led by Jesse Krasna with 15 points and Jay Jabat with 11 points.
Wilson – which lost three of its four games this year to Reading (27-2) – defeated York - 59-57. The Bulldogs were led by Jerome Good who scored a game-high 22 points, while Tyler Beck scored in twin digits with 11 points.
Key Players:
Pennsbury is undersized but has gotten a terrific season out of 6-foot, 1-inch ‘center’ Zak Kumor. The ‘other’ Zach – Sibel – has played well in recent games. Sophomore Kieran Bolger has been a superb partner for senior Jesse Krasna in the Falcon backcourt.
Wilson has size in 6-7 Jerome Good and scoring ability out of Zach Zweizig – who has averaged 14.6 points per game. Tyler Beck also averages in double figures with 10 points per game.
Pennsbury Head Coach Frank Sciolla says – “With (Jerome) Good, Wilson has a major size advantage,” said Sciolla. “Right now we’re still looking for our first dunk attempt of the season. I think if one of our players grabs the rim, we’ll give him the game ball.
“Going to states is an awesome experience, and to play in an historic arena at Hershey makes it even more memorable,” added Sciola. “We have played a rugged schedule, and people would be wise not to take us lightly.”
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